SICHUAN PEPPER “TIMUR”

This spice comes from Nepal. It is often mistaken for black pepper, but has an entirely different flavor and is not related to the black pepper family. Sichuan pepper is kind of berry belonging to the citrus family. It has a strong lemony and grapefruit aroma, and has a wide use in Chinese and Nepalese cuisine.

In fact, the spice has been the subject of wars and great expeditions to seek the best routes to where it was grown, and its trade is still a hugely important part of the world-food business.

I have discovered it when I was in London. I was passing by spice shop with impressive variety of different kind of from everywhere and I could not pass by. I was curious about different peppers and I have chosen four from offered twenty at least.

Note: I have bought mine in London in “The Spice Shop”, but it can be ordered online in LV from manasgarsas.lv.

HEALTH BENEFITS

There are countless health benefits of Sichuan pepper, including its ability to stimulate the immune system, reduce pain, boost the appetite, increase circulation, strengthen the bones, and reduce inflammation.

Sichuan pepper has many various compounds, antioxidants, and vitamin that human needed to function better. Some of the many useful ingredients contained potassium, vitamin A, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, carotenes, thiamin, selenium and phosphorous.

Like black peppercorns, Szechuan peppers also aid in the digestion power through increasing gastric juice and enzymes secretion inside the gut.

CULINARY USES

I am afraid I could use it everywhere, but to be more specific though I will mention my favorite ways to use it.

I prefer to use it in raw dishes. Due to its citrus flavor I adore to use it for fruit dishes such as power bowls and semi-sweet salads. I put it in persimmon salad and persimmon nice-cream, but it is also awesome for mango or banana nice-creams.

Timur pepper also can be used for Chinese hot pots, soups and in stir fries. As well as for fish dishes due to citrus taste.

One of my latest discoveries is the usage of peppers in sweets. I have started to discover more and more unexpected flavor combinations, which I will be sharing with you in my further posts.

This is N1 spice in my kitchen now and I really do advice you to try it.